"The crimes of violence are based upon the federal civil rights laws prohibiting hate crimes," the statement reads.

Specifically, the charges against Bowers include eleven counts of obstructing the exercise of religious beliefs to the point of causing death and four counts of obstruction to the point of causing injury to a public safety officer.

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If Bowers is convicted of the hate crime charges he may receive the death penalty, according to CNN.

"The actions of Robert Bowers represent the worst of humanity," U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said Sunday, CNN reported.